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Classification categories and markings

• How are films, computer games and publications classified?
• Classification Categories for Films and Computer Games
  • Markings
  • Consumer advice
• Classification Categories for Publications
  • Markings
  • Consumer advice
• Information for consumers
  • Parents and Children
  • Teachers and Students

Please contact the Classification Policy Branch on (02) 6141 3455 if you have any difficulties downloading the documents.

How are films, computer games and publications classified?

Generally, films (including videos and DVDs) and computer games, whether produced locally or overseas, have to be classified before they can be made legally available to the public. Some films and computer games are exempt from classification under section 5B of the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995 (Cth) (‘the Commonwealth Act’).

Not all publications have to be classified. Only ‘submittable publications’, that is publications likely to be refused classification or restricted to adults, must be classified.

The Classification Board is an independent body that classifies films, computer games and publications. For films and computer games classified PG, M, MA 15+, R 18+ (film only) and X 18+ (film only), the Board also decides what consumer advice is to be provided. The Board may also determine consumer advice for films and computer games classified G and publications classified Unrestricted. The Board also classifies internet content on application from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), and deals with material referred by the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service and enforcement agencies such as the police.

The Classification Review Board is an independent body that reviews classification decisions and makes a fresh decision. Those who may apply for a review of a classification decision are:

• the Minister
• the applicant for classification, or approval for an advertisement
• the publishers of the classified material, or
• a person aggrieved by the decision.

In making classification decisions, the Classification Board and Classification Review Board apply:

• the Commonwealth Act
• the National Classification Codes, and
• the Guidelines for the Classification of Films and Computer Games or the Guidelines for the Classification of Publications.

Classification decisions have a national effect, although some States and Territories may make their own classification decisions for certain material. Some States and Territories may also review Board decisions.

Classification categories for films and computer games

Films and computer games have the same classification categories, but there are two additional categories for films. Each category is represented by the same classification markings. Consumer advice on the classifiable elements may be included in the white space beside the classification marking.

Some films and computer games may be exempt under section 5B of the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995, eg education. However, a film or computer game cannot be exempt if the material is likely to be classified M, MA 15+, R 18+, X 18+ or RC (refused classification). The Director of the Classification Board may also grant an exemption to allow unclassified product to be shown, for example at a film festival.

From 1 July 2009, unclassified films and computer games may be advertised in accordance with the Classification (Advertising of Unclassified Films and Computer Games Scheme) Determination 2009. In this case, advertising will generally carry the message ‘Check the classification’.

There are six classification categories for films (G, PG, M, MA 15+, R 18+, X 18+) and four classification categories for computer games (G, PG, M and MA 15+). The R 18+ and X 18+ categories do not apply to computer games in Australia. Films and computer games can also be classified RC (refused classification). RC films and computer games cannot be legally sold or distributed in Australia.

The G, PG and M classification categories are ‘advisory’ classifications. This means there are no legal restrictions on who may see or hire a film or computer game. Age restrictions apply to MA 15+, R 18+ and X 18+ classifications.

Each classification category indicates the impact of the six classifiable elements — themes, violence, sex, language, drug use and nudity, and the scope and type of material that may be found.

G classified films and computer games are for general viewing. Some of these films and computer games contain content that would be of no interest to children. The impact of the content is very mild.

PG films and computer games may contain material that needs to be explained to children. Parental guidance is recommended. The impact of the content is mild.

The M category is recommended for mature audiences. A mature perspective is required to view this material. The content is of a moderate impact.

The MA 15+ category is a legally restricted category. The impact of the content is strong. A person under the age of 15 years must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian if viewing or buying a film or computer game classified MA 15+.

R 18+ classified films are legally restricted to persons aged 18 years and over because of its high impact content. Some material in this classification may be offensive to some sections of the adult community.

The X 18+ classification only applies to films and is a special classification which contains sexually explicit material between consenting adults. It is also restricted to persons aged 18 years and over. X 18+ films can only be sold or hired legally in the ACT and the Northern Territory. However, the Classification Act has been amended to prohibit the possession and control of prohibited material within prescribed areas of the Northern Territory and the supply of prohibited material into the prescribed areas. Prohibited material includes (amongst other items) X 18+ films and unclassified films that would likely be classified X 18+.

Consistent with the Classification Act, RC films and computer games, and unclassified films and computer games that would likely be classified RC, are also prohibited in the prescribed areas.

Further information on the offences and types of material prohibited in the prescribed areas can be found at ‘Current Changes to Classification Law’.

Further information on the individual classification categories for films and computer games may be found in the Guidelines for the Classification of Films and Computer Games 2005.

• Guidelines for the Classification of Films and Computer Games 2005

• Markings

The following classification markings are for films and computer games.

The following classification markings are only for films.

The R 18+ and X 18+ classifications do not apply to computer games in Australia. Only films can carry the R 18+ and X 18+ classification markings.

There is no classification marking for material classified RC.

Classification markings may also be accompanied by consumer advice which may be found in the white space next to the coloured classification marking. The following table shows the combination classification marking (classification marking and space for consumer advice) for each classification category.

• Consumer advice

The Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995 requires the Classification Board to provide consumer advice about the content of films or computer games classified PG, M, MA 15+, R 18+ or X 18+ (note R 18+ and X 18+ are for films only). The consumer advice lists the principle classifiable elements that contribute to the film or computer game’s classification.

Films and computer games classified G are considered to be suitable for all viewers and are usually not given consumer advice by the Board. However, the Board may provide consumer advice for films and computer games classified as G if it wishes.

Consumer advice is found in the white space next to the coloured classification marking and is specific to a film or computer game. It helps consumers decide what they and their family should view, read or play by stating the classifiable elements that have led to the film or computer game’s classification. Some examples of consumer advice are:

• Mild sexual references
• Frequent coarse language
• Strong violence
• High impact sex scenes

Classification categories for publications

There are four classification categories for publications:

• Unrestricted
• Category 1 – Restricted
• Category 2 – Restricted
• RC (Refused Classification).

Only publications which are ‘submittable’, that is likely to be refused classification (RC) or given a restricted classification, are required to be submitted to the Classification Board for classification. Under State and Territory enforcement legislation all publications that are classified must be appropriately labelled with a label/marking that indicates the classification category of the publication.

Particular attention is paid to the covers of submittable publications to ensure they are suitable for display in public.

Publications in the Category 1 – Restricted and Category 2 – Restricted classification categories are legally restricted to persons aged 18 years and over. These types of publications are not suitable for a minor to see and are likely to offend some sections of the adult community.

Category 1 – Restricted publications must be distributed in a sealed wrapper. Covers must be suitable for public display. Publications with covers not considered suitable for public display will not be permitted in this classification category unless sealed in a plain opaque wrapping. Category 2 – Restricted publications may not be publicly displayed and may only be displayed in premises that are restricted to adults.

RC publications cannot be legally imported, sold or displayed in Australia.

The Classification Act has been amended to prohibit the possession and control of prohibited material within prescribed areas of the Northern Territory and the supply of prohibited material into the prescribed areas. Prohibited material includes (amongst other items) Category 1 – Restricted and Category 2 – Restricted publications and unclassified publications that would likely be classified Category 1 or Category 2 Restricted.

Consistent with the Classification Act, RC publications and unclassified publications that would likely be classified RC are also prohibited in the prescribed areas.

Further information on the offences and types of material prohibited in the prescribed areas can be found at ‘Current Changes to Classification Law’.

More information about the individual classification categories for publications can be found in the Guidelines for the Classification of Publications 2005.

• Guidelines for the Classification of Publications 2005

• Markings

There is no RC classification marking for publications.

• Consumer advice

Consumer advice is not generally provided for publications. However, publications classified as ‘Unrestricted’ and containing material that is not recommended for some readers, will carry a consumer advice label that reads ‘M – Not recommended for readers under 15 years’.

Information for consumers

See below for classification information sheets relevant to parents and children, teachers and students.

• Parents and Children

Downloads:

• Information Sheet for Parents and Children – Word 31KB
• Information Sheet for Parents and Children – PDF 15KB

• Cinema information sheet for M, MA 15+ and R 18+ classifications (Queensland) – Word 233KB
• Cinema information sheet for M, MA 15+ and R 18+ classifications (Queensland) – PDF 75KB

• Cinema information sheet for M, MA 15+ and R 18+ classifications (Western Australia) – Word 234KB
• Cinema information sheet for M, MA 15+ and R 18+ classifications (Western Australia) – PDF 74KB

• Cinema information sheet for M, MA 15+ and R 18+ classifications (All jurisdictions but Qld and WA) – Word 234KB
• Cinema information sheet for M, MA 15+ and R 18+ classifications (All jurisdictions but Qld and WA) – PDF 235KB

• Teachers and Students

Downloads:

• Information Sheet for Teachers – Word 31KB
• Information Sheet for Teachers – PDF 15KB

• Information Sheet for Students – Word 31KB
• Information Sheet for Students – PDF 22KB

• Information for Schools – showing films and playing computer games – Word 86KB
• Information for Schools – showing films and playing computer games – PDF 101KB

• Information for Libraries – lending films and playing computer games – Word 81KB
• Information for Libraries – lending films and playing computer games – PDF 100KB